It’s that time of year again in Charlotte! Summer is filled with lots of fun activities for your dog like beach or lake trips, walking on the greenway and trips to the dog park.

While summer can be lots of fun for your pet, here at Quail Hollow Veterinary Hospital, we’d like to give you some helpful tips to keep Fido and Fluffy safe this time of year.

NEVER leave your pet in a hot car, even if the windows are cracked. On an 85 degree day, the temperature inside of a car with cracked windows can reach over 100 degrees within 10 minutes. Fatal heat stroke can occur very easily, especially in breeds like pugs, bulldogs or boxers. If you are concerned that your pet is over-heated or developing heatstroke call us and seek veterinary care immediately.

Be sure to limit excessive outdoors activities during the hottest part of the day. Take those walks during the cooler parts of the day in the early morning or evenings. Humidity also makes it harder for dogs to regulate their body temperature through normal panting, so when outdoors with your pooch during the sunny parts of the day, be sure to provide plenty of shade and cold water.

When walking with your dog on hot days, even the asphalt or sidewalk can burn those little paw pads, so try to walk on grass when possible.

I also often get asked about sunscreen for dogs and cats. In general, most pets don’t need regular sunscreen, however light colored, white dogs, dogs with thin coats or dogs that are hairless can get sunburned and do need a little sunscreen. If you plan on spending a sun filled day at the beach or lake with your dog, I would suggest a little dab of a pet-safe sunscreen on top of the nose/muzzle and on the hairless part of the belly. Avoid any human products containing Zinc Oxide, which can be toxic to dogs.

I hope you found this information to be helpful. Feel free to call us or email us if you have any other questions about keeping your pets healthy and safe this summer.

- Dr. Adam Berman

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